Walking tracks through this 12-hectare reserve ascend Botanical Hill, where a spire proclaims the Centre of New Zealand. The actual centre is 55km southwest of here, but the views are great regardless. NZ’s first-ever rugby match was played at the foot of the hill on 14 May 1870.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
7.73 MILES
With a Māori name that translates as 'Long Island', this low-lying expanse forms an 8km-long barrier to the ocean with a gorgeous sandy beach spread along…
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0.66 MILES
This modern museum is filled with a jumble of cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a strong regional focus, including an almost Easter…
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8.55 MILES
The Höglunds have had their art glass exhibited internationally and even featured on a jointly issued Swedish and New Zealand postage stamp. Call into…
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15.94 MILES
Sitting pretty in Upper Moutere, with views across the grapes to the mountains of Kahurangi National Park, bijou Neudorf produces gorgeous wines including…
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0.83 MILES
A collection of heritage buildings has been relocated to this site, 2km northeast of the city centre, creating a Victorian-era village complete with a…
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25.24 MILES
Cullen Point curves around to the northeast of Havelock, sheltering the marina from the rest of Pelorus Sound. A 10-minute walk loops up and around the…
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3.42 MILES
Nelson is the birthplace of NZ's most eccentric fashion show, the annual World of WearableArt Awards (now staged in Wellington). You can see a selection…
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0.35 MILES
Redeveloped in 2016 with a series of contemporary, light-filled exhibition spaces, Nelson’s public art gallery presents changing exhibitions from a…
Nearby attractions
0.3 MILES
Immerse yourself in botanical history in this ornamental garden, founded in 1887 to commemorate the 50th jubilee of Queen Victoria's coronation. It's set…
0.35 MILES
Redeveloped in 2016 with a series of contemporary, light-filled exhibition spaces, Nelson’s public art gallery presents changing exhibitions from a…
0.66 MILES
This modern museum is filled with a jumble of cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a strong regional focus, including an almost Easter…
0.68 MILES
The enduring symbol of Nelson, Christ Church lords it over the city from the top of Pikimai/Church Hill. It's an unusual mix of Gothic and art-deco style,…
0.83 MILES
A collection of heritage buildings has been relocated to this site, 2km northeast of the city centre, creating a Victorian-era village complete with a…
2.69 MILES
Nelson's primo playground takes the form of a long sandy beach (with lifeguards in summer) backed by dunes and a large grassy park with a playground, an…
3.42 MILES
Nelson is the birthplace of NZ's most eccentric fashion show, the annual World of WearableArt Awards (now staged in Wellington). You can see a selection…
4.82 MILES
McCashin’s was a forerunner of the craft brewing craze in NZ, which started way back in the 1980s. Visit the historic Rochdale Cider building in Stoke …